Sinus Tachycardia

Excerpt

Sinus tachycardia is a regular cardiac rhythm in which the heart beats faster than normal and results in an increase in cardiac output. While it is common to have sinus tachycardia as a compensatory response to exercise or stress, it becomes concerning when it occurs at rest. The normal resting heart rate for adults is between 60 and 100, which varies based on the level of fitness or the presence of medical comorbidities. For children, it varies by age but is commonly higher than the resting rate in adults (starting approximately between 100 and 150 beats per minute in infancy with a gradual reduction over the next six years).

The presence of tachycardia at rest could be the earliest sign of serious pathology. Thus, it is crucial for the clinician to rapidly identify the underlying cause of tachycardia and determine if it indicates urgent evaluation and/or treatment. This activity will review the etiologies of tachycardia and approach to the patient who presents with tachycardia.